Since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has pursued policies aimed at curbing renewable energy development in favor of fossil fuels, describing wind and solar power as a “scam of the century.” Last year, his administration passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), which significantly reduced tax credits for green investments that had been implemented under the previous administration. Additionally, the administration has withdrawn the United States from the Paris climate agreement for a second time and delayed approvals for more than 150 onshore wind projects. Trump has also publicly criticized wind energy, stating that it is for “stupid people” and warning that offshore wind farms disturb marine life.
Despite these efforts, renewable energy in the United States has continued to grow. In 2025, utilities generated a record amount of electricity from renewable sources, and this year, approximately 45 gigawatts of clean-energy capacity is expected to be added, according to S&P Global Energy. The resilience of the green energy sector is largely attributed to technological advancements that have improved the competitiveness of solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage. These renewables are among the lowest-cost options for new electricity generation, even without government subsidies. Moreover, new solar and wind projects generally have shorter development times, often less than two years, compared to at least three years for natural gas plants.
The OBBA’s tax credit reductions prompted a rush among developers to complete projects before deadlines, providing a temporary boost to investments. Some renewable energy incentives were also retained in the legislation. Critics of the administration’s stance argue that the economic realities of green energy make its suppression difficult.
Additional factors have bolstered the appeal of renewable energy. Following U.S. military strikes on Iran in late February, global fossil fuel prices surged, leading many American households to increase interest in residential solar installations and electric vehicles as a means to lower energy costs. The U.S. average gasoline price recently set a new yearly record for the number of days exceeding $4 per gallon—a threshold at which electric vehicles are considered more economical by analysts.
The rising demand for electricity, driven in part by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence technologies, has also influenced the energy sector. Data centers, known for their high energy consumption, are projected to use up to 12 percent of total U.S. electricity by 2028. This has increased pressure on energy providers to expand generating capacity, pushing up costs for new gas plants and further highlighting the advantages of cheaper, faster-to-deploy renewable options.
Trump’s attempts to restrict renewable energy have faced legal and political challenges. Courts have blocked some efforts to halt green projects, and industry lobbying has succeeded in securing approvals for specific developments. A strategy known as “greenhushing,” where companies invest quietly in renewables without emphasizing environmental goals, has also helped navigate political sensitivities.
Although the administration’s policies have slowed the pace of the energy transition, challenges such as labor shortages, permit delays, and rising material costs also impact the sector. Nearly two years into Trump’s second term, economic and practical considerations—affordability, speed, and energy security—are increasingly driving the momentum behind renewable energy, more so than the climate change arguments that dominated earlier debates. While the president’s regulatory measures have created obstacles, they have also underscored the growing, inescapable case for clean power in the U.S. energy landscape.